Halkidiki, Greece: A one-of-a-kind holiday destination

The region of Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) is situated in Northern Greece, southeast of Thessaloniki. Halkidiki is a majestic place that attracts thousands of visitors every year, due to its splendid features. Throughout the region there is a great amount of natural beauty; indeed it is one of the most verdant areas in Greece, while it also possesses many springs, lakes and coves. Halkidiki's main attractions, though, are its stunning beaches, some of which practically flow into lush green forests. Halkidiki villages are very picturesque and have an intense traditional character, whether they are on rolling hillsides or by the seaside. Sightseeing in Halkidiki Greece is abundant, with impressive archaeological, historical and religious sites at every turn.

Poligiros, the capital town of Halkidiki (Chalkidiki), is located on the mainland section of the region, built amphitheatrically on the side of Mt. Profitis Elias and offers visitors a fascinating view of the sea and the surrounding landscape. Halkidiki’s most popular area is the “Trident” (otherwise known as “the three feet”), which is comprised of Kassandra in the west, Sithonia in the center and Mt. Athos (Agio Oros) in the east.

Kassandra, Halkidiki, Greece

Kassandra, the western peninsula of Halkidiki, Greece is perhaps the most frequented of the three peninsulas because of its close proximity to Thessaloniki. It has an extremely well-developed tourism infrastructure, including many hotels, hotel apartments and rooms for rent, as well as a plethora of dining and nightlife venues catering to all types of visitors. Kassandra boasts some of the finest sandy beaches in Halkidiki, as most of them combine sea and forest. For more information about Kassandra, Halkidiki, click here.

Sithonia, Halkidiki, Greece

Sithonia, the central peninsula of Halkidiki, Greece is well-known mainly for its breathtaking natural beauty. In Sithonia, you will have the opportunity to stroll along magnificent sandy beaches and charming coves, among stunning landscapes and through picturesque villages. While having managed to retain many of its traditional features, the area also offers a wide variety of entertainment venues, a great number of Halkidiki hotels, rooms for rent and apartments, and organized car rental agencies. For more information about Sithonia, Halkidiki , click here.

Mt. Athos (Agio Oros), Halkidiki, Greece

Mt. Athos (Agio Oros), the eastern peninsula of Halkidiki, Greece is one of the most unique areas in Greece. It is the spiritual center of the Orthodox religion and an autonomous region of Greece. The unprecedented spiritual aura and serene atmosphere are absolutely wonderful. Surrounding the monasteries are forests of evergreen trees that add to the rejuvenating and inspiring vibes. At the entrance of Mt. Athos are the seaside resorts of Tripiti and Ouranoupolis, where visitors can find a good selection of Halkidiki hotels, a variety of bars, clubs, tavernas and restaurants, and lovely beaches. For more information about Mt. Athos, Halkidiki, click here .

Halkidiki Hotels

Hotels in Halkidiki Greece are abundant, providing accommodation for all types of visitors, from rooms to let and hotel apartments to large villas and all inclusive hotel resorts in Halkidiki.

Seaside resorts in Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) offer visitors splendid views of the shimmering blue waters of the Toronaios and the Sigitikos Gulfs, and sandy beaches lined with lush, green trees. Mountain village hotels in Halkidiki Greece provide visitors with the chance to spend their holidays in the beautiful natural settings of Halkidiki, surrounded by traditional architecture and picturesque landscape.

Visitors will find hotels in Halkidiki, Greece that ideally meet their needs, as the region is a favorite holiday destination for solo travelers, couples, families and groups of friends, who can choose from a wide selection of luxury hotels, villas, studios, suites, apartments and rooms to let in Halkidiki. In Kassandra, we recommend spending your holidays in Hanioti, Afitos, Pefkohori (Pefkochori), Fourka, Possidi and Potidea. Hotels in Sithonia, Halkidiki are superb and can be found in Kalamitsi, Nikiti, Neos Marmaras and Sarti, while the finest seaside vacation destination in Mt. Athos is Tripiti village.

Halkidiki Beaches

The 3 peninsulas of Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) are packed with wonderful beaches that cater to all types of visitors, from those who want to lie on soft golden sands soaking up the sun's rays to those who want to participate in beach and water sports. Whatever your preference, you will certainly find your dream beach in Halkidiki Greece.

The Peninsula of Kassandra, Halkidiki Greece is famous for its beautiful stretches of sand, trimmed with evergreen trees that reach the beaches from the lush hills. At the entrance of Kassandra are the beaches of Nea Moudania and Nea Potidea, which are fully organized and are popular with both residents of Thessaloniki and tourists. Along the eastern coast of Kassandra are the lovely beaches of Afitos, Pigadakia, Polychrono, Hanioti and Pefkohori (Pefkochori), all of which are sandy and have turquoise waters. At the southern tip of Kassandra you will come across the beaches of Chryssi Ammos, Xyna and Agios Georgios. The western coast of Kassandra offers the medicinal springs of Agia Paraskevi, the sandy beach of Nea Skioni, the superb pebbly beach of Possidi, as well as the sandy beaches of Fourka, Siviri and Sani. Most Kassandra, Halkidiki Beaches are suitable for families, as they have relatively shallow waters and offer shade.

Sithonia Peninsula is an ideal destination for beach lovers. At the entrance of Sithonia Halkidiki Greece are the long beaches of Nikiti, Kortessa and Lagada, settled beneath a lush hillside. Along the western coast you will come across the quaint coves of Agios Ioannis, Kalogria, Spathies and Elia. Further south is the seaside resort of Neos Marmaras and its beaches, as well as the beaches of Diaporti and Azapiko. The sheltered beach of Porto Koufo is ideal for relaxation. The southeastern coast offers the breathtaking beaches of Kalamitsi, Sykia, Kriaritsi and Klimataria. Kavourotripes Beach, the most celebrated beach in Halkidiki, is located on the western side of Sithonia, just below the stunning beaches of Sarti, Platanitsi and Achlada, which are well-organized. Armenistis Beach is especially lovely with its pine forest, while Vourvourou Beach offers shallow, calm waters, ideal for small children.

Mt. Athos has a limited number of beaches where visitors can swim and sunbathe. However, those that are available to swimmers are splendid. The beaches in Tripiti are absolutely wonderful and fully-organized, as are the beaches surrounding Ouranoupolis. At the entrance of the Mt. Athos Peninsula, are the beautiful beaches of Alexandros, Philippos, Xyropotamos, Komitsa, Iviritiko and Tzafa. You can also visit the small island of Ammouliani, located opposite Ouranoupolis, which has crystal-clear waters and white sands.

Halkidiki Nightlife - Halkidiki Restaurants - Halkidiki Events

Apart from excellent beaches and impressive historical and natural sites, Halkidiki Greece possesses exciting nightlife venues. Halkidiki nightlife has something for everyone. Most settlements in Halkidiki offer a good selection of traditional tavernas and restaurants with a wonderful view of the sea or the countryside. The Kassandra Peninsula has a plethora of clubs, bars and cafes, located mainly in the villages of Afitos, Fourka, Possidi, Nea Potidea, Pefkohori, Polychrono and Kriopigi. The Sithonia Halkidiki nightlife is concentrated in Nikiti, Sarti and Neos Marmaras, while if you are vacationing in Mt. Athos, you can spend your evenings either in Tripiti or Ouranoupolis.

Take in the traditional side of Halkidiki Greece by participating in the marvelous Halkidiki events and festivals. Kassandra villages host a variety of festivals, such as the summer Afitos Festival, which includes many cultural events, the summer Kassandra festival in Siviri with musical performances from Greek and international musicians, as well as a number of church fairs, such as the Assumption of Mary on August 15 in Afitos, Kalandra, and other villages. In the Sithonia Prefecture we suggest attending the Crossing of the Toronean Gulf in July, the Assumption of Mary on August 15 in Sarti and the "Fishing of the Tuna" Festival in Porto Koufo in September.

Halkidiki Sights & Attractions

Throughout the region there are impressive archaeological, historical and natural sights that are a must for visitors during their holidays in Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) Greece. There are many interesting places to visit and things to do in Halkidiki, Greece. Simply equip yourself with a map of Halkidiki and start your unforgettable tour of the area.

In Kassandra, Halkidiki, you can start off at the Potidea Canal and the Potidea Castle ruins and continue to Nea Fokea to visit the Tower and Church of St. Paul and the Wild Life Reserve. The village of Afitos is an area of great historical importance, possessing excellent sights, such as the Ancient Site of Afitios, the Ancient Quarries, several beautiful churches, and the idyllic Springs of Moudounou and Vrysitsa. In Pefkohori, Halkidiki, you have the opportunity to visit the Glarokavos Sea Lake. In Possidi, you can admire the Sanctuary of Poseidon. Kallithea village possesses the Sanctuary of Amon Zeus, Kalandra is host to the Ancient Site of Mendi and Sani has the Byzantine Tower of Stavronikitas.

In the peninsula of Sithonia, Halkidiki we recommend beginning with a visit to Nikiti for a stroll in the old part of the town and to the Paleo-Christian Basilica. Next stop, Neos Marmaras, to visit the 9 th century settlement of Parthenonas, from where you can climb to the pine area of "Psaria" or catch a tour boat to Kelyfos Island to see its Roman ruins. Don't forget to pay a visit to the Xiropotamos Monastery in Sarti, the Ancient Temple in Sykia, and the Castle in Toroni.

The main attractions of the Mt. Athos peninsula, Halkidiki are the exquisite monasteries, which are considered very significant monuments of the Orthodox faith and have great historical value. Only men can visit the monasteries, although everyone can admire them from the ferries which depart from Ouranoupolis and Ierissos and go on scheduled tours around the peninsula. Apart from the monasteries, we suggest visiting the Ancient Site of Akanthou and the Byzantine Tower in Ierissos, as well as the Xerxis Canal and Ancient Sani near Nea Roda Town. In Ouranoupolis, make a stop at the Christianity Museum, the Frangokastro and the Tower of Prosforios.

Halkidiki Weather - Halkidiki Climate

The climate in Halikdiki is rather similar to the rest of Greece, with hot and sunny summers and relatively mild winters. Rainfall in Halkidiki Greece is fairly infrequent, even during the fall and winter, making it a wonderful holiday destination all year round. In a few mountainous regions, temperatures in Halkidiki may fall below zero, but generally speaking, weather conditions in Halkidiki, Greece are fair.

From January to March, the average temperature in Halkidiki ranges from 5°C to 16°C. The weather in Halkidiki gradually warms up, and in April temperatures climb from the low-mid teens to approximately 20°C. Halkidiki weather conditions improve starting from May, when temperatures reach the low-mid 20s. June, July and August are the warmest months, although they never get unbearable, as the temperature ranges from the mid 20s to the low 30s. The fall months of September and October are preferred by many travellers, as temperatures fall a bit and offer cooler Halkidiki weather, ranging from high teens to mid 20s. November and December cool down significantly, with average temperatures from12°C to mid teens.

Getting to Halkidiki is quite easy, as there are buses that depart frequently from Athens and Thessaloniki for Halkidiki. Visitors can reach Halkidiki by airplane, ferry boat or train from Athens via Thessaloniki and then by bus to their final destination. There are daily flights and ferry trips to Thessaloniki, from where you can catch a bus to Kassandra, Sithonia or Mt. Athos.

Rates for airplane, train and ferry tickets depend on the season, as well as how much in advance you have booked. We suggest checking timetables for correct switching between means of transportation. You may also wish to rent a car that will be waiting at Thessaloniki Port or Thessaloniki Airport upon your arrival. Driving to Halkidiki in a rental car is easy, as roads in the area are good. There are several reliable Halkdiki Greece car rental agencies to choose from.